Lansdale Holiday Lights Bike Ride Returning for Second Year

North Penn Now Staff•

On Wednesday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m., Bike North Penn will be hosting the Lansdale Holiday Lights Ride, starting and ending on Wood Street alongside Backyard Beans.

This will be the second year for the event, which will feature a community bike ride through the streets of Lansdale Borough to take in residential holiday light displays at a slow bicycle speed.

The final route will be chosen based on streets with the greatest number of lights, with the distance expected to be between four and six miles. The ride should take about an hour to complete, organizers said.

Riders are encouraged to light up their bikes as well as themselves to join the festive spirit and make themselves more visible. Bells, horns, and noise makers are also welcome.

Before the ride, everyone should make sure their bikes are in good working order. Dressing for the weather is also important, with close attention to the hands and face.

"If you are not experienced riding your bike in winter temperatures, it can be surprising how the cold can get to your fingers and your nose even when riding at slow speeds,” said William Jackson, organizer of Bike North Penn. "But be sure to take your bike for a test ride while you are bundled up. Extra layers can affect handling of your bike and breaking and shifting will feel different if you are wearing heavy gloves.”

Safety is the first priority for this ride: helmets are required, and all minors need to be accompanied by an adult. Bad weather or icy street conditions will cancel the ride.

The Lansdale Holiday Lights Ride will be the last scheduled community bike ride of 2023 for Bike North Penn. The organization said they are currently planning their ride schedule for 2024, which will likely start later in March.

Bike North Penn hosts one or two rides a month trying to include routes in all seven municipalities of the North Penn region. These community rides allow residents to experience cycling at slow speeds and short distances on quiet neighborhood streets and trails and learn safe ways to move between neighborhoods.